One of the best and most respected ethnic festivals in Milwaukee, Irish Fest -- which runs Aug. 19-22 at Henry Maier Festival Park at the lakefront -- is one of the only ones with a real international reputation. And this year, it celebrates its 30th birthday.

For three decades, Milwaukee's Irish festival has booked the same talent you'd see at a similar event in the Emerald Isle, and there is a serious devotion to culture, with Gaelic poetry readings, theater events, historical displays, book sales and more.

Among this year's entertainers are Liz Carroll, Cherish the Ladies, Gaelic Storm, Tommy Sands, The Makem & Spain Brothers and Red Hot Chili Pipers, to name but a few.

What fuels such success and such a diverse event? Martin Hintz -- of the Irish American Post and author of "Celebrate the Legend: 25 Years of Milwaukee Irish Fest" -- knows.

"The fest is all about people," he told OnMilwaukee.com when the book was published.

"It is an extended family, with everyone celebrating weddings, births, deaths. ... Irish Fest is a team effort brought together by hard-working friends, many of whom have spent years as volunteers.

"Some sing low, some sing high on the Irish Fest wire, to paraphrase the old song, but through it all, there is a tight bond ... and all their efforts accomplished so much. Hey, families have fun, they laugh, they cry, they moan, they goof around, they celebrate."

There's a celebratory feel to Irish Fest; one really does get the sense of being among friends; at an over-sized family picnic, perhaps. And there's a lot to see, from the exhibition of cuddly Irish dogs to the cultural and musical events. That allows visitors to mix and match and create their own experience and their own memories.

Where: Henry Maier Festival Park

Hours: Thursday, 5 p.m.-midnight; Friday, 4 p.m.-midnight; Saturday, noon-midnight; Sunday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

Admission: $5 on Thursday. Friday-Sunday, adults are $15, seniors (60 and up) pay $10 and kids 12 and under are free.

Highlights: Thursday is the Grand Hooley, a sort of kick-off party cum dress rehearsal and it's great fun at a steal of a price. Don't miss the Cultural Village, which opens at 4 p.m. on Friday. Among the great things you'll find there are an exhibition of works by Strangford Lough photographer Bernie Brown and the 10th anniversary American Celtic Art Exhibit with works by Cindy Matyi, Jen Delyth, Steve O'Loughlin, Patrick Gallagher and Michael Carroll.

OMC tip: There are a few ways to get in free, including by donating 10 Irish-related items to the John J. Ward Irish Music Archives. Details here. Admission is gratis on Friday from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Bring a donation of school supplies (backpacks, notebooks, markers, pencils, etc.) for Hope House and entry is free on Thursday. Donate non-perishable food items before the 9:30 a.m. Mass on Sunday and you can get in to the fest for free AFTER the Mass. Sunday is also college day, so folks with valid college student ID can get in for $3 at the main gate only from 2 to 7 p.m.

For more information: (414) 476-3378, irishfest.com

Article from OnMilwaukee.com.